Anticariogenic Agent Research Articles

Effects of ginkgoneolic acid on the growth, acidogenicity, adherence, and biofilm of Streptococcus mutans in vitro

Ginkgo biloba has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, ginkgoneolic acid, a kind of compound extracted from G. biloba, was investigated for its effects on growth, acid production, adherence, biofilm formation, and biofilm morphology of Streptococcus mutans. The results showed that ginkgoneolic acid inhibited not only the growth of S. mutans planktonic cells at minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 4μg/mL and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 8μg/mL but also the acid production and adherence to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite of S. mutans at sub-MIC concentration. In addition, this agent was effective in inhibiting the biofilm formation of S. mutans (MBIC(50) = 4μg/mL), and it reduced 1-day-developed biofilm of S. mutans by 50% or more at low concentration (MBRC(50) = 32μg/mL). Furthermore, the present study demonstrated that ginkgoneolic acid disrupted biofilm integrity effectively. These findings suggest that ginkgoneolic acid is a natural anticariogenic agent in that it exhibits antimicrobial activity against S. mutans and suppresses the specific virulence factors associated with its cariogenicity.

In vitro anticariogenic effects of aerial parts of Drymocallis rupestris and its phytochemical profile

Dental caries is an infectious disease which is widely distributed throughout the world and is the most prevalent chronic oral disease in humans. In this study, for the first time, we investigated in vitro inhibitory effects of D. rupestris extracts and fractions obtained with solvents of different polarity (aqueous, 50% ethanolic, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate and n-butanolic) against cariogenic Streptococcus spp. strains. It was found that diethyl ether fraction exhibited bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity against all the test bacteria at concentrations of 0.75 or 1.5mg/mL. The diethyl ether fraction also inhibited the viability of mutans streptococci in biofilm. The inhibitory effects of all tested extracts of D. rupestris on water-insoluble and water-soluble glucan synthesis by cell-free GTFs from Streptococcus spp. were examined. Both, aqueous and diethyl ether preparations showed the highest anti-GTFs activity. Additionally, the phytochemical profile were analyzed where the high polyphenolics (total phenol, phenolic acids, tannins, proantocyanidins, flavonoids) content were found. The results demonstrate that D. rupestris could become a useful supplements for pharmaceutical products as a new anticariogenic agent in a wide range of oral care products.

Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175에 대한 황련과 고삼의 항균활성

약용식물로부터 충치예방물질을 개발하기 위하여 우리나라에서 전통적으로 널리 사용되어 왔던 25종류의 약용 식물로부터 에탄올 추출물을 분리하였다. 이를 대상으로 충치 원인균인 Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175에 대한 항균활성을 나타내는 약용식물을 조사하였다. 황련, 고삼, 감초, 박하, 삼백초등이 S. mutans에 대해 항균활성을 나타냈다. 이 중 황련과 고삼의 에탄올 추출물들은 S. mutans에 대해 강한 항균활성을 나타냈다. 이 결과들을 근거로 하여 황련과 고삼의 추출물들은 S. mutans ATCC 25175에 대한 충치 예방물질로서 가능성이 있음을 나타낸다. As part of our screening of anticariogenic agents from medicinal plants, the ethanol extracts of 25 herbs widely used in the fork medicine were tested for the antimicrobial activity against a cariogenic bacterium Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175. The ethanol extracts of Coptis chinensis, Sophora flavescens, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Mentha arvensis, and Saururus chinensis showed antimicrobial activities against S. mutans. The extracts of Coptis chinensis and Sophora flavescens among these medicinal plants showed significant antomicrobial activity against S. mutans. These results suggested that the extracts of Coptis chinensis and Sophora flavescens could be the potential source of antimicrobial agent against S. mutans ATCC 25175.

PERANAN KASEIN DALAM PENCEGAHAN KARIES GIGI: ROLES OF CASEIN IN DENTAL CARIES PREVENTION

Dental caries is the highest prevalence disease in many countries, it is shown by many studies have been performed to solve dental caries problem. Dental caries process had develop since the teeth are going to erupt in the mouth. However, it has been proved that not all food cause dental caries. Milk product which has high milk protein such casein and calcium, could prevent demineralization. By its ion calcium penetration in soluble enamel, the remineralization process will happen. It make a biofilm coated with calcium phosphoprotein and amorph calcium phosphate formation that formed along milk digestion. So it has a possibility to become an alternative food to prevent dental caries, as anticariogenic and cariostatic agent. As examples, human breast milk, bovine milk, cheese, and yogurt that would be explained in this paper. In conclusion, milk product consumption without any sugar can inhibit caries development.

Identification of a quinazoline alkaloid produced by Penicillium vinaceum, an endophytic fungus from Crocus sativus

Context: Endophytic fungi are microorganisms living within the tissues of host plants, and have proven to be rich sources of biologically active secondary metabolites and therefore have attracted increasing attention in recent years.Objective: To isolate and characterize bioactive constituents from the endophytic fungus cultures of Crocus sativus Linn. (Iridaceae).Materials and methods: Endophytes were isolated from the corm of C. sativus. Endophytic fungus cultures were subjected to repeated column chromatography. Chemical structure was elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic methods and X-ray diffraction analysis. Several pathogenic fungi isolates and tumor cell lines were employed to evaluate the antifungal and cytotoxic activities of the isolated compound.Results: An isolate of Penicillium vinaceum (strain no. X17) was obtained from the corm of C. sativus. Chemical investigations of the endophyte culture broth afforded an unique quinazoline alkaloid (1), identified as (-)-(1R,4R)-1,4-(2,3)-indolmethane-1-methyl-2,4-dihydro-1H-pyrazino-[2,1-b]-quinazoline-3,6-dione, which showed cytotoxic (IC50 range 40.55–76.83 μg/mL) and antifungal (MIC80 range 16–64 μg/mL) activities.Discussion and conclusions: Endophytes in C. sativus can be a rich source of novel bioactive compounds, which prompts us to expand the medicinal resource of this valuable plant in another way. Compound 1 exhibited potential cytotoxic and antifungal activities and may be considered a lead compound for promising antifungal and anticariogenic agent.

In vitro anticariogenic effects of aerial parts of Potentilla recta and its phytochemical profile

This study, for the first time, investigated the in vitro inhibitory effects of Potentilla recta extracts and subfractions obtained with solvents of different polarity (aqueous, 50% ethanol, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate and n-butanol) against cariogenic Streptococcus spp. strains. It was found that the tested samples inhibited the growth of oral streptococci. Furthermore, all five P. recta preparations exhibited an inhibitory effect on water-insoluble α-(1→3)-,α-(1→6)-linked glucan (mutan) and artificial dental plaque formation. The ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest antibiofilm activities especially against S. sobrinus GCM 20381, with minimum mutan and biofilm inhibition concentrations of 6.25 and 25 µg/mL, respectively. The phytochemical profile of active constituents in the investigated samples was analysed. The high polyphenolics (total phenol, phenolic acids, tannins, proantocyanidins, flavonoids) content were found. The ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest concentration of total polyphenol content which may correlate with the high cariogenic activity of this subfraction. The results demonstrate that P. recta extracts and subfractions could become useful supplements for pharmaceutical products as new anticariogenic agents in a wide range of oral care products. Further studies are necessary to clarify the precise bioactive constituents of P. recta responsible for the anticariogenic properties.

Antimicrobial activity of terpenoids from Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. against cariogenic bacteria

In the present work, the anticariogenic activities of nine labdane type-diterpenes and four sesquiterpenes were investigated. Among these metabolites, (-)-copalic acid (CA) was the most active compound displaying MIC values very promising (ranging from 2.0 to 6.0 µg/mL) against the main microorganisms responsible for dental caries: Streptococcus salivarius, S. sobrinus, S. mutans, S. mitis, S. sanguinis and Lactobacillus casei. Time kill assays performed with CA against the primary causative agent (S. mutans) revealed that, in the first 12 h, this compound only inhibits the growth of the inoculum (bacteriostatic effect). However, its bactericidal effect is clearly noted thereafter (between 12 and 24 h). Also, CA did not show a synergistic effect when combined with the anticariogenic gold standard (chlorhexidine, CHD) in the checkerboard assays against S. mutans. In conclusion, the results points out CA as an important metabolite in the search for new effective anticariogenic agents.

The Tea Catechin Epigallocatechin Gallate Suppresses Cariogenic Virulence Factors of Streptococcus mutans

Streptococcus mutans, the primary etiologic agent of dental caries, possesses a series of virulence factors associated with its cariogenicity. Alternatives to traditional antimicrobial treatment, agents selectively inhibiting the virulence factors without necessarily suppressing the resident oral species, are promising. The anticariogenic properties of tea have been suggested in experimental animals and humans. Tea polyphenols, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), have been shown to inhibit the growth and glucosyltransferases activity of S. mutans. However, their effects on biofilm and cariogenic virulence factors of oral streptococci other than glucosyltransferases have not been well documented. In this study, we investigated the biological effect of EGCg on the virulence factors of S. mutans associated with its acidogenicity and acidurity. The antimicrobial effects of EGCg on S. mutans biofilm grown in chemically defined medium were also examined. EGCg inhibited growth of S. mutans planktonic cells at an MIC of 31.25 μg/ml and a minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 62.5 μg/ml. EGCg also inhibited S. mutans biofilm formation at 15.6 μg/ml (minimum concentration that showed at least 90% inhibition of biofilm formation) and reduced viability of the preformed biofilm at 625 μg/ml (sessile MIC₈₀). EGCg at sub-MIC levels inhibited acidogenicity and acidurity of S. mutans cells. Analysis of the data obtained from real-time PCR showed that EGCg significantly suppressed the ldh, eno, atpD, and aguD genes of S. mutans UA159. Inhibition of the enzymatic activity of F₁F₀-ATPase and lactate dehydrogenase was also noted (50% inhibitory concentration between 15.6 and 31.25 μg/ml). These findings suggest that EGCg is a natural anticariogenic agent in that it exhibits antimicrobial activity against S. mutans and suppresses the specific virulence factors associated with its cariogenicity.

Anticariogenic Properties of ent-Pimarane Diterpenes Obtained by Microbial Transformation

In the present work, the anticariogenic activities of three pimarane-type diterpenes obtained by fungal biotransformation were investigated. Among these metabolites, ent-8(14),15-pimaradien-19-ol was the most active compound, displaying very promising MIC values (ranging from 1.5 to 4.0 μg mL−1) against the main microorganisms responsible for dental caries: Streptococcus salivarius, S. sobrinus, S. mutans, S. mitis, S. sanguinis, and Lactobacillus casei. Time kill assays performed with ent-8(14),15-pimaradien-19-ol against the primary causative agent S. mutans revealed that this compound only avoids growth of the inoculum in the first 12 h (bacteriostatic effect). However, its bactericidal effect is clearly noted thereafter (between 12 and 24 h). The curve profile obtained by combining ent-8(14),15-pimaradien-19-ol and chlorhexidine revealed a significant reduction in the time necessary for killing S. mutans compared with each of these two chemicals alone. However, no synergistic effect was observed using the same combination in the checkerboard assays against this microorganism. In conclusion, our results point out that ent-8(14),15-pimaradien-19-ol is an important metabolite in the search for new effective anticariogenic agents.

Possibilities and potential roles of the functional peptides based on enamel matrix proteins in promoting the remineralization of initial enamel caries

Dental caries is the most common oral diseases, and it gives a serious threat to oral and general health. Fluoride, a classic anti-caries agent, has a profound effect on caries prevention and treatment. However, fluorosis and fluoride-resistant strains limit the further application of fluoride treatment. Therefore, it is still of significant benefit to seek alternatives, bringing more effective anti-caries agents. The potential role of enamel matrix proteins(EMPs) in promoting the regeneration of periodontal tissue and inducing bone have been proved. EMPs have been successfully applied in the field of periodontal disease and dental implants in recent years. Previous researches revealed that enamel matrix proteins had an important role in the synthesis of hydroxyapatite in vitro. Some experiments about the degeneration or removal of EMP suggest that enamel matrix proteins are related to the occurrence and development of caries. Based on evidences illustrated by these experiments, this paper hypothesizes that functional peptides based on the function and structure of EMPs could promote remineralization of enamel caries, which could perform as a suitable treatment to enamel caries. The hypothesis may lead a new direction in the study on the prevention and treatment of enamel caries, and further study of the anti-caries mechanisms of EMP will enable researchers to find out the most effective anti-caries peptides, which could be developed into a bionics anti-cariogenic agent.

Antibacterial actvity and synergistic effect investigation of terpenoids from Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. against cariogenic bacteria

In the present work, the anticariogenic activities of nine labdane type-diterpenes and four sesquiterpenes were investigated (Figure). Among these metabolites, (–)- copalic acid (2) was the most active compound displaying very promising MIC values (ranging from 2.0 to 6.0µg mL-1) against the main microorganisms responsible for dental caries: Streptococcus salivarius, S. sobrinus, S. mutans, S. mitis, S. sanguinis and Lactobacillus casei [1]. Due to its highest anticariogenic activity, the synergistic effect of 2 combined with the anticariogenic gold standard (chlorhexidine, CHD) was investigated in the checkerboard assays [2] against the most important cariogenic microorganism (S. mutans). No synergistic effect was observed but the MIC values obtained allow us to conclude that 2 is an important metabolite in the search for new effective anticariogenic agents.

1,5-Anhydro-D-Fructose and its Derivatives: Biosynthesis, Preparation and Potential Medical Applications

1,5-Anhydro-D-fructose (AF) was first found in fungi and red algae. It is produced by the degradation of glycogen, starch and maltosaccharides with α-1,4-glucan lyase (EC 4.2.2.13). In vivo, AF is metabolized to 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol (AG), ascopyrone P (APP), microthecin and other derivatives via the anhydrofructose pathway. The genes coding for the enzymes in this pathway have been cloned, enabling the large-scale production of AF and related products in a cell-free reactor. The possible applications of these products in medicine have been evaluated using both in vitro and in vivo systems. Thus AF is a useful anticariogenic agent as it inhibits the growth of the oral pathogen Streptococcus mutans, impairing the production of plaque-forming polysaccharides and lactic acid. AF also shows anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. AG is used as a diabetic marker for glycemic control. AG also stimulates insulin secretion in insulinoma cell lines. in vivo, APP has been shown to lengthen the life span of cancer-afflicted mice. It interferes with tumor growth and metastasis by its cidal effects on fast multiplying cells. Microthecin inhibits the growth of the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, particularly under anaerobic conditions. The pharmaceutical usefulness of the other AF metabolites 1,5-anhydro-D-mannitol,1-deoxymannojirimycin, haliclonol, 5-epipentenomycin I, bissetone, palythazine, isopalythazine, and clavulazine remains to be investigated. In this review AF and its metabolites as the bioactive natural products for their pharmaceutical potentials are discussed.

Variation in Total Polyphenolics Contents of Aerial Parts of Potentilla Species and Their Anticariogenic Activity

The aerial parts of selected Potentilla species (P. anserina, P. argentea, P. erecta, P. fruticosa, P. grandiflora, P. nepalensis, P. norvegica, P. pensylvanica, P. crantzii and P. thuringiaca) were investigated in order to determine their contents of polyphenolic compounds. The results showed that P. fruticosa has relatively high concentrations of tannins (167.3 ± 2.0 mg/g dw), proanthocyanidins (4.6 ± 0.2 mg/g dw) and phenolic acids (16.4 ± 0.8 mg/g dw), as well as flavonoids (7.0 ± 1.1 mg/g dw), calculated as quercetin. Furthermore, we investigated the in vitro inhibitory effects of aqueous extracts from these species against cariogenic Streptococcus spp. strains. It was found that the tested samples moderately inhibit the growth of oral streptococci. However, all the preparations exhibited inhibitory effects on water-insoluble α-(1→3)-, α-(1→6)-linked glucan (mutan) and artificial dental plaque formation. The extract from P. fruticosa showed the highest anti-biofilm activities, with minimum mutan and biofilm inhibition concentrations of 6.25–25 and 50–100 µg/mL, respectively. The results indicate that the studied Potentilla species could be a potential plant material for extracting biologically active compounds, and could become a useful supplement for pharmaceutical products as a new anticariogenic agent in a wide range of oral care products.

Niet-Restauratieve Caviteitsbehandeling. Cariës activiteit beteugelen in plaats van maskeren.

The traditional restorative approach to active dentin caries in the temporary dentition is questioned. This paper argues in favour of a causal approach. The causal approach focuses on caries management. Restoration is of secondary importance. Delay or replacement of invasive restorative treatment by a causal approach decreases discomfort for children and promotes oral health over time. A form of causal treatment is the so called Non-Restorative Cavity Treatment. This approach requires that some measures be taken for managing cavitated caries lesions: 1. written informed consent; 2. making the cavity accessible for plaque removal; 3. treating carious dentition with anti-cariogenic agents and/or applying a protective layer to the carious dentition; 4. monitoring the caries process; 5. effective communication about dental health education. Some diagnostic criteria are important for the risk assessment of cavitated lesions: 1. activity of the caries lesion; 2. accessibility of the caries lesion for plaque control; 3. depth of the cavity; 4. condition of the pulp. the causal approach can arrest the caries process even in advanced stages of decay.

Consumption of milk with added casein phosphopeptide‐amorphous calcium phosphate remineralizes enamel subsurface lesions in situ

Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) is an anticariogenic agent that is suitable to be added to foods. The aim of this double-blind, three-way crossover randomized study was to investigate the capacity of CPP-ACP, when added to bovine milk, to remineralize enamel subsurface lesions in situ. Ten subjects drank 100 mL of bovine milk containing no added CPP-ACP (control milk), 0.2% (w/v) CPP-ACP or 0.3% (w/v) CPP-ACP, for 30 seconds once daily for 15 days, whilst wearing removable appliances with attached slabs of enamel containing subsurface enamel lesions. After each treatment and a one-week washout period, subjects crossed over to another treatment and this was repeated until they had consumed each of the three milk products. At the completion of each treatment the enamel slabs were removed and remineralization was determined using microradiography. The results demonstrated that all three milk samples remineralized enamel subsurface lesions in situ. However, the two milk samples containing added CPP-ACP each produced significantly greater remineralization than the control milk. The remineralizing effect of CPP-ACP in milk was dose-dependent with milk containing 0.2% CPP-ACP and 0.3% CPP-ACP producing an increase in mineral content of 81% and 164%, respectively, relative to the control milk.

Pimarane-type Diterpenes: Antimicrobial Activity against Oral Pathogens

Seven pimarane type-diterpenes re-isolated from Viguiera arenaria Baker and two semi-synthetic pimarane derivatives were evaluated in vitro against the following main microorganisms responsible for dental caries: Streptococcus salivarius, S. sobrinus, S. mutans, S. mitis, S. sanguinis and Lactobacillus casei. The compounds ent-pimara-8(14),15-dien-19-oic acid (PA); ent-8(14),15-pimaradien-3b-ol; ent-15-pimarene-8b,19-diol; ent-8(14),15-pimaradien-3b-acetoxy and the sodium salt derivative of PA were the most active compounds, displaying MIC values ranging from 2 to 8 μg∙mL-1. Thus, this class of compounds seems promising as a class of new effective anticariogenic agents. Furthermore, our results also allow us to conclude that minor structural differences among these diterpenes significantly influence their antimicrobial activity, bringing new perspectives to the discovery of new natural compounds that could be employed in the development of oral care products.

Effect of Galla chinensis extract and chemical fractions on demineralization of bovine enamel in vitro

Objective To evaluate the demineralization inhibition property of extracts and chemical fractions of Galla chinensis in vitro. Methods Seventy sound bovine enamels blocks were prepared and randomly divided into seven groups. These samples were pH-cycled for 12 times in 6 days. Each daily cycle included 2× 5 min application with one of the seven treatments: 1000 ppm F aq. (as NaF, positive control); deionized water (negative control); or 4000 ppm aqueous solutions of five G. chinensis extracts (GCEs): GCE, GCE-A, GCE-B, GCE-C or GCE-D. Surface enamel microhardness was measured on the enamel blocks before and after pH-cycling, and the reduction of surface microhardness (ΔSMH) was calculated. The acidic buffers were retained for calcium analysis. Results There were significant differences between the GCE groups and the two controls ( p < 0.01). Among all the GCE groups, the reduction of surface microhardness (ΔSMH) in GCE group was the least ( p < 0.01). No significant differences were found between the GCE group and GCE-C group in CDR, as well as the other three GCE groups (GCE-A, GCE-B and GCE-D) ( p > 0.05). Conclusions The present study has demonstrated the potential of the GCE to effect the demineralization under dynamic pH-cycling conditions. None of the chemical fractions was as effective as GCE. Combined with its anti-bacterial properties, the demineralization inhibition of GCE suggests that this material could be a useful source for the development of promising anti-cariogenic agents.

Biofilm Plaque and Hydrodynamic Effects on Mass Transfer, Fluoride Delivery and Caries

The biofilm concept of dental plaque now is widely accepted in the dental clinic, particularly with respect to its importance to oral hygiene. A number of reviews have focused on the microbial ecology of biofilm with regard to oral health; however, there has been less focus on how the interaction of biofilms and hydrodynamics with mass transfer (the movement of molecules and particulates) and physiological processes may relate to caries. The authors reviewed reports in the microbiology and dental literature addressing microbiological, engineering and clinical aspects of biofilms with respect to mass transport and microbial physiology, with an emphasis on fluoride ions (F(-)). and Practical Implications. These data illustrate how dental plaque biofilms may affect the delivery of cariogenic agents, such as sucrose, or anticariogenic agents, such as F(-), into and out of the biofilm, with subsequent consequences for the development of physio-chemical microenvironments at the tooth surface. Increasing the flow rate in an overlying fluid (such as saliva or mouthrinse) increases transport from the fluid into and through biofilms. Increasing the delivery of anticariogenic agents such as F(-) into the plaque biofilm, by generating strong fluid flows, may be a useful strategy for enhancing the anticaries effects of F(-) in areas of the mouth where complete biofilm removal is not possible with routine daily cleaning techniques.

Activity of Nidus Vespae extract and chemical fractions against Streptococcus mutans biofilms

To evaluate the effect of Nidus Vespae extract and chemical fractions on the viability and architecture of Streptococcus mutans biofilms. The raw material was first extracted using 95% ethanol/water. Subsequent fractions were prepared from this extract using cyclohexane/ethyl acetate, petroleum ether/ethyl acetate and chloroform/methanol. The biomass dry weight and total protein of samples treated with Nidus Vespae extract and chemical fractions were significantly less than those treated with the vehicle control (P < 0.05). Biofilms treated with Nidus Vespae also resulted in lower percentage of polysaccharide composition. The pH decrease in the biofilm matrix was retarded by Nidus Vespae compared with the vehicle control. Architecture of biofilms treated with Nidus Vespae was different than in the vehicle control and 0.05% chlorhexidine. Chloroform/methanol fraction was the most effective treatment. The significant antibiofilm activity demonstrated by Nidus Vespae shows it to be a promising source of novel anticariogenic agents.

The Antibacterial Activity of Plant Extracts Containing Polyphenols against Streptococcus mutans

The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of commercially available and 70% aqueous propanone (P70) extracts from plants chosen for polyphenol content on Streptococcus mutans and other bacteria were determined using a standard susceptibility agar dilution technique to investigate their potential use as anticariogenic agents. The effects on adhesion of S. mutans to glass were also studied. The lowest MICs were for the P70 extracts of red grape skin (0.5 mg ml^–1) and green tea and sloe berry skin (2 mg ml^–1). The commercial extracts generally had a lower activity with a minimum MIC of 2 mg ml^–1 for tea extracts, grape seed extracts and Pynogenol® (extract of maritime pine). All other extracts had MICs of ≧4 mg ml^–1. Unfermented cocoa had greater antimicrobial activity than fermented cocoa and the activity of the fractionated extract increased with the extent of epicatechin polymerization. Epicatechin polymer had an MIC of 1 mg ml^–1 and an MBC of 64 mg ml^–1. Selected extracts were tested against other oral bacteria and showed activity against Gram-positive organisms. P70 extracts of unfermented cocoa, epicatechin polymer fraction, green tea and red grape seed were bacteriostatic and prevented acid production when added at the MIC to cultures of S. mutans grown in a chemically defined medium supplemented with either glucose or sucrose. There was a reduction in viability which was greater when added to washed cells, but there were some viable cells after 24 h. The extracts also reduced adherence of S. mutans to glass.